The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Thinking about getting this mixer.

Camarie's picture
Camarie

Thinking about getting this mixer.

I'm thinking about getting this used Kitchenaid Commercial mixer from Ebay. Looks like the old K-5SS Bowl-Lift mixers!

It was out before the design of them had all changed. Still looks great & works good!!

clazar123's picture
clazar123

Is it old enough to be branded Hobart on the side label as the manufacturer?

David R's picture
David R

I might be far wrong, but I don't think any Hobart KAs had "Commercial" displayed on them.

stanss's picture
stanss

I have a KA Commercial for about 1 year now, no problems.  KA Commercial will have a ORANGE power cable unless they have been replaced.

Camarie's picture
Camarie

It doesn't have a label verifying who or where it was made.

It looks just like the K-5 bowl-lift mixer that was out in the early to mid '70s, except there's a overload reset button on the right side.

David R's picture
David R

Isn't the name plate with power ratings etc a legal requirement? Has it been intentionally removed?

EDIT: I'm not claiming that the plate must be kept on the machine by purchasers, because I don't know that one way or the other. But aren't manufacturers required by law to put the plate on in the factory?

Slybee1's picture
Slybee1

Get it.  I bought one just like about 6 years ago.  bought it for 20 buck because they said it didn't work.  I purchased a new set of brushes for six dollars, been working like a dream ever since.  I even did a custom paint job.  It even came with the dough hook, paddle, and whisk.  Next purchase for my KA is the grain mill. 

Camarie's picture
Camarie

Greenville, Ohio is where the Whirlpool-made ones are from. When Hobart was making them, they came from Troy, Ohio. Big difference. The ones that were made by Hobart have better quality. But If You can't find the Hobart-made ones, then if you're still interested, the Whirlpool-made ones should be ok.

Most of the older ones look just like the K-5SS. New looking mixer, BTW!! I may repaint it also, to give it a fresh new look!!

Yippee's picture
Yippee

I strongly suggest you to reconsider purchasing the KA grain mill. Make sure you read the reviews, especially by bakers from this forum and not on Amazon, before making your decision.

Yippee

Camarie's picture
Camarie

I plan to get a Nutrimill grain mill to match the Nutrimill Artiste mixer.

Camarie's picture
Camarie

For the most part. The K-5SS & other KA mixers that looked like it were pretty much made the same They had the same inner workings. About the only slight changes were that an overload button was added,  the motor was beefed up somewhat for more wattage power & torque.

Pretty much everything else with it was the same, until the styling was changed altogether when the machines were all switched over to the present style, & that is when stuff started to go wrong, such as inferior quality, plastic gear cases & more. Whirlpool thought that it could get away with stuff & that no one would find out. Then the tops were taken off & flaws were revealed. I'm surprised that no one filed a class action lawsuit against them!!

The mixers were breaking down left & right!! That is why no one trusts KA any more.

Camarie's picture
Camarie

I ordered it. Note  the thick heavy black cord on the mixer. A true sign that it was made with commercial quality.

It also has the NSF logo on the ID label. It is located on the back of the base near the bottom of the machine.

 

There's a small poster at the top of the accessory drive that reads; 'No attachments are available for this machine'. Only the flat beater & the stainless steel bowl came with it. I want to replace the beater with a shiny white or ss one or the Flex-edge beater.. The bowl has a dent in it. which the beater hits slightly. Needs a little cleaning. Thinking of repainting it in orange.

Camarie's picture
Camarie

I have begun the process of dismantling the mixer & cleaning it in preparation for painting it. I want to paint it in orange. Pics on the way.

David R's picture
David R

...with flames on the sides? ?

Camarie's picture
Camarie

Sorry for the fuzzy pics. Mixer was taken apart for cleaning & repainting. Love that nice white color, but I need to give it a new lok. Look at all that crud left that's on the planetary!! Gotta come off!!

When done, this will look so new!! I'll be getting a new bowl & beaters for it. I'll replace the bowl & beaters so that it will look spanking new!!

Camarie's picture
Camarie

 

Now for the cleaning!

Camarie's picture
Camarie

Cleaning is done! Can't find the masking tape though!!

Camarie's picture
Camarie

 

Thinking abut doing it in THIS color now. In honor of Julia Child. She had one this color!!

Slybee1's picture
Slybee1

Make sure to sand the surface good.  The white paint is like a porcelainized paint, this way you can get a good bond.  I used automotive grade paint.  A base coat clear coat system so I could add a few coats of clear so it could be durable.  It's still easy to scratch. 

Camarie's picture
Camarie
Camarie's picture
Camarie

The parts are prepped & ready for painting. Still don't have the tent yet.

 

I want THIS model if it is still available in a few weeks. I'll give it some TLC, clean & repaint it to make it look like new again!! This is a true Hobart-made Kitchenaid machine from which the N50 was first thought of. Long before Whirlpool took over the Kitchenaid division!! It is said to be still working good! I've even ordered a big Kitchenaid decal for it, to put on it when it's done!!

Camarie's picture
Camarie

Here it is! Coming tomorrow.
Camarie's picture
Camarie
Camarie's picture
Camarie

First 2 pieces are done for now!

Camarie's picture
Camarie
Camarie's picture
Camarie

Two more parts being painted!! The motor head will be last. Need a tiny brush for some touchup work.
Canton's picture
Canton

Hi, I saw some K5SS kitchen aids on Craigslist/eBay.   They are listed as Heavy Duty, 325 Watt, Solid State Speed Control, Kitchen Aid.  DIDNOT LIST Hobart as your picture has.  I am confused.  Were these not made by Hobart?  Or they were made by Kitchen Aid (Whirlpools) after Hobart left. I also have Artisan 325 watt, bought in 2009.  So far mine is still working, but the last time I used it with the flat beat to beat about 1 lb of a half meat frozen over 5 minutes.  Mine KA’s head was warm when I touched it.  I immediately stop it.  Wait until 30 minutes  to use it again.  I didn’t have problem to beat it.  However, I only used briefly, stoped, used it again.    Should I try to save money and invest in a new model of Kitchen Aid Pro 600?  Or I should get the K5SS with the Hobart name on the model?  My friend is thinking to get the Delonghi mixer DMS 800 via eBay.  What do you think Delonghi DMS 800 versus K5SS?  Because the DMS has 800 watt while the K5SS has 325 watt.  I know KA parts are easy to get and cheaper while the DMS parts come from England are harder to get and expensive due to Euro and shipping fee. Thank you  

Camarie's picture
Camarie

Get the K5SS! It's Hobart-made. The one that I got is probably Whirlpool-made. Except for a few details, it looks just like the K5SS. But the old white one that I recently got IS Hobart-made. It look just like the N50 except for a few details.

Canton's picture
Canton

Thank you.

Camarie's picture
Camarie

You're welcome! I suspect that people don't want to pay $2,000 or even $3,000 for a new N50 mixer, so they are scooping them up used and giving them a new life by fixing up & painting them. It's hard

 as hell trying to get a used mixer, much less a new one!!